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AG Hill’s attorney discipline case raises new questions

The disciplinary complaint against Hill raises new questions about the disciplinary process itself, including who can preside over the proceedings and what would happen if the state’s chief legal officer loses his law license, even temporarily. But those questions aside, ethics attorneys say Hill’s status as a prominent elected official shouldn’t have any bearing on the nuts and bolts of the discipline process.

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Justice deny transfer to 13 cases

The Indiana Supreme Court denied granting transfer in any of the 13 cases brought before its bench last week, including a case involving a gun robbery consisting of more than a dozen firearms and a debt suit lacking malicious intent.

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Hamilton County magistrate judge suspended after arrest in meth sting

A Hamilton County magistrate judge has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court as he faces a felony methamphetamine possession charge and other counts after he allegedly bought meth from a police informant. The judicial officer also is accused of biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry the bag of meth from the magistrate judge’s mouth.

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South Bend attorney suspended for noncooperation

The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a South Bend attorney from the practice of law after previously ordering her to show cause as to why she should not be immediately suspended for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation against her.

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Hill, Disciplinary Commission spar over hearing officer appointment

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at the lawyer ethics charges filed against him this week, arguing the judicial branch is wading into political waters by possibly disciplining him for allegations of groping four women — claims he says were “unrelated to the practice of law.”

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Aggravators can’t include nonadjudicated juvenile actions, COA says

In granting a petition for rehearing Thursday, the Indiana Court of Appeals explicitly came down against using juveniles' nonadjudicated contacts with the criminal justice system as an aggravating factor in future sentencing. However, in light of other evidence of the petitioner’s criminal history, the court reaffirmed its prior decision to uphold a man’s sentence.

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Justices to hear Lake County eminent domain case

The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously chose to hear two property-related cases, focusing on issues of eminent domain and deciding a case involving rental property fee exemptions for landlords in Bloomington and West Lafayette.

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Justices’ ruling sparks conversation about PCR for noncitizens

Earlier this month, a 3-2 majority of the Indiana Supreme Court granted post-conviction relief to noncitizen Angelo Bobadilla, finding deficient counsel performance and prejudice. But dissenting justices raised concerns about the ruling inappropriately expanding the PCR analysis.

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Venue transfer arguments face justices’ scrutiny

In back-to-back oral arguments, the Indiana Supreme Court considered whether to grant transfer in two medical malpractice cases seemingly in conflict with each other. The debate: whether Indiana Code § 23-0.5-4-12 is a validly enacted statute or a nullity under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Trial Rule 75(A)(4) regarding venue.

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